Shelf-rack for holding boots or shoes



(No Model.)

S. L. SAUNDERS.

SHELF RACK FOR HOLDING BOOTS 0R SHOES.

No. 592,975. a Patented Nov. 2,1897.

Inventor: Saznuel L .Smnders, By ws m'tnesscis: m W

k/W z UNITED STATES PATENT @FFlCEt SAMUEL L. SAUNDERS, OE LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

SHELF-RACK FOR HOLDING BOOTS OR SHOES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 592,975, dated November 2,1897.

Application filed July 1, 1897. Serial No. 643,148, (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL L. SAUNDERS, of Lynn, county of Essex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Shelf-Racks for Holding Boots or Shoes, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates more particularly to that class of devices for holding boots and shoes while in the factory and undergoing the process of manufacture known as shelfracks," as distinguished from peg-racks, and it has for its object the production of a rack adapted to hold as great a number of shoes as are held by the racks of this class now in general use, but with great economy of space.

Shelf-racks as now constructed comprise usually an open frame supporting a series of superposed longitudinal sh elves which extend from the front and back of the rack toward the center thereof, the shelves being arranged in pairs. Obviously the width of racks so constructed must be equal to substantially twice the extreme length of the longest shoe to be held, and it is found in practice that such racks take up a great deal of unnecessary room, thereby occupying floor-space which could be better utilized for other purposes.

In my present invention I provide the supporting-frame, open atback and front, with a series of longitudinallyextended shelves, staggered laterally relatively to each other, so that the inner edge of one shelf extends laterally beyond the inner edge of the next adjacent shelf. By this arrangement the width of the frame is greatly contracted without decreasing the holding capacity thereof.

Other features of my invention will be hereinafter described in the specification, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a rack embodying my invention, and Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section thereof on the line mm, Fig. 1.

The rack comprises a skeleton framework consisting of a base A, upright standards A, cross-bars A and suitable braces B, all firmly united in any suitable manner. Each shelf is herein shown as a grid formed by aplurality of longitudinally extended and separated rods or bars a, suitably secured at their ends in the cross-bars A four such rods being herein shown.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that at the front edge of each shelf a guard rod or rail e is provided on a somewhat higher plane than that of the shelf proper, said guard acting to prevent the displacement of boots or shoes placed on the shelves in an upright position, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2.

The shelves are shown as narrower than the width of the frame and they are staggered laterally-that is to say, the inner edge of one shelf extends beyond the inner edge of I the next adjacent shelf, adjacent shelves having theirouter edges at the back and front of the frame, respectively. I

The inner edge of each shelf will, by bearing against the part of the boots or shoes on the shelf below, act as a stop to prevent them from slipping off at the inner edge of their particular supporting-shelf.

The shelves may be arranged as near together in a vertical direction as is desirable, and the same or a greater number of shoes can be held thereon as can be held in a rack of corresponding length and height as now constructed, but with great economy of floorspace.

My invention is not restricted to making the shelves as grids, but so far as I am aware it is broadly new to stagger the superposed shelves, as hereihbefore set forth, and accordingly my invention is not restricted to the precise construction and arrangement herein shown and described.

Havingfully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A rack for holding boots or shoes, comprising a supporting-frame and a: series of longitudinally extended shelves mounted thereon, the inner edge of one shelf extending beyond or overlapping the inner edge of the next adjacent shelf, whereby a boot or shoe on one shelf may be held in position by the inner edge of the shelf next above, substantially as described.

2. A rack for holding boots and shoes, comrisin a su ortin frame a series of lon i- O b J b guard for and relevat'ed above each shelf, the

inner edge of one shelf overlapping the inner V edge of the next shelf below and'forming a stop for boots and shoes supported on the latter, whereby parts of two adjacent shelves cooperate to retain the boots or shoes against accidental lateral displaceinen t, substantially as described.

3. The combination with the end frames,

of superposed boot or shoe holding shelves and cooperating stops or ridges, to enable a boot or shoe on one shelf to be arranged with its toe portion opposite the ankle portion of a boot or shoe on, the next adjacent shelf,

substantially as and for the purpose described. I 5 r r r r In testimonyrwhereof I have signedmy name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

- SAMUEL L. SAUNDERS.

Witnesses:

JOHN G. EDWARDS, AUGUSTA E. DEAN. 

